Best Destinations for Europe Travellers

This summer season, the Balearic Islands will levy a new eco-tax on tourists and this will increase the cost of an ordinary family holiday by almost £44 for a week.

Traveller taxes have never been a popular concept among the tourists, but still they have been in use for a long time now to boost the treasure boxes of the local government. However, in what way do the proposed taxes by the Balearic Islands’ government compare to the other kinds of taxes in other European tourist destinations?

Travel experts compared some of the top destinations of the continent with Balearic Islands to find this out and based the calculations on an average family with four members: 2 adults and 2 children in the age group of around 16 accommodated in 5-star accommodation for 7 nights.

The results showed Italy to be the top destination that levied very heavy taxes. Families pay up to £153 additionally towards city taxes for a tour to the capital. Experts say that the amount would be adequate to cover lunch expenditure for 4 people at one of the best restaurants in Rome like L’Arcangelo.

Meanwhile, a family that visits Cote d’Azur for a week is likely to cough up £65 as local taxes. The amount could otherwise be used for filling the cargo space of your car with cheese and wine.

Now, getting back to comparing these places with the proposed taxes in Balearic Islands, it’s quite low, though controversially the taxes are also applicable to tourists who made their reservations even ahead of the announcement.

Sharing his view about this, a travel expert said – “Tourists have long been soft targets for raising revenue. It seems that the Balearics may be being tempted to cash in on the increased demand for holidays in Spain, as holidaymakers switch from resorts in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey.”

He also noted that the same family that has to pay up £44 as taxes in the Balearic Islands must also spend £52 as airport departure taxes to the United Kingdom government (that implies £13 per head for all tourists aged 16 and above).

The Canary Islands doesn’t levy any tourist tax and could make a compelling alternative for budget-minded travellers.